Knowing the Symptoms of Manic Depression

Even though manic depression is not extraordinarily common, it does affect almost 8% of men and 12% of women in the UK and is a very serious condition that should be treated accordingly as soon as symptoms become evident.

Manic Depression Symptoms

One of the most common symptoms of manic depression is mood swings. It greatly depends on the severity of the individual case, but at times, someone suffering from manic depression can cycle through moods of mania and depression rather rapidly. People with manic depression often feel as if they are stuck on an emotional roller coaster and easily become frightened and confused.

When a person is suffering from manic depression, all of the symptoms of clinical depression are evident. The decrease in interest in things that once brought about great pleasure, an unshakable feeling of sadness and erratic patterns of sleep are just some of the symptoms. Many times manic depression symptoms are so intense that suicidal thoughts become a danger.

On the contrary, when a manic episode occurs, other symptoms may become apparent as well. Rapid speech, irritability, false feelings of grandeur may also surface during a manic episode. Individuals will experience an increase in energy regardless of a decrease in sleep. At times, the person’s mood may be euphoric with uncontrollable ideas racing around inside their mind.

Treating Manic Depression

Manic depression is treatable. Stabilizers are used to control mood swings and anticonvulsive medication has proven to be helpful in some cases of manic depression. Once a person is able to stabilize their mood, they are able to once again take their life under their own control. Even though there is no definitive cure for manic depression, the available treatments are successful at decreasing symptoms and allowing someone suffering from manic depression to lead a normal healthy life.

Manic depression can become apparent late in adolescence or early in adulthood. If a diagnosis is not made when symptoms first appear, the person may suffer for a long period of time without treatment. Manic depression is a chronic illness that must be actively treated throughout the patient’s entire life.

Symptoms of manic depression can be joined by hallucinations that are related to the mood the patient is presently experiencing. For example, the patient may believe that they are an extremely important individual with an excessive amount of influence. On the other hand, when they are feeling depressed, they feel penniless, worthless and in many cases suicidal. It is not uncommon for a person experiencing a manic-depressive mood swing to go on elaborate spending sprees as a way of coping.